WBO world lightweight title defence: Ricky Burns v Jose Gonzalez

Ricky Burns has been warned to be on his guard on Saturday against Jose Gonzalez, the mandatory challenger for his WBO world lightweight title.

Eddie Hearn, the champion's new promoter since his split from Frank Warren, believes the Puerto Rican will be desperate to snatch the Scot's belt.

"This guy has a shot at millions of dollars so you know what he is going to do," said Hearn.

"It is only human nature that he will put everything on the line."

The promoter believes the undefeated Gonzalez, 29, has the hunger to test Burns, who at 30 is just two months his senior.

"There are no re-match clauses, no options, it is a free shot at the world title," he said.

"He is undefeated and he believes he can win this fight. That's why he is here and he poses a real threat.

"These kids from Puerto Rico are tough. They have a hard upbringing and they make it the hard way.

"So Ricky knows he is in for a real fight."

The pair meet at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow's east end and up to 6,000 fans will attend to watch Burns, with 35 wins and two defeats in his career, fight for the first time since he stunned Kevin Mitchell in a title defence in the same city last September.

JOSE GONZALEZ FACT FILE

Age: 29

Nationality: Puerto Rican

Stance: orthodox

Pro record: 22 wins 0 losses 0 defeats

17 wins by knock-out

Bout against Burns is his first outside home country

Burns and his trainer Billy Nelson insist there is no chance of the champion being rusty when he enters the ring.

"I'm going to be prepared for whatever happens on the night and the training and the sparring has gone well," said the fighter.

The Coatbridge boxer has fought only one pro bout against a Puerto Rican and it is an occasion he will always cherish.

He defeated Roman Martinez in Glasgow to win the WBO world super-featherweight title in September 2010.

Successful defences of that belt against Andreas Evensen, Joseph Laryea and Nicky Cook followed before he clinched the interim WBO world lightweight title against Michael Katsidis as he moved up a weight division.

A points win over Paulus Moses last March was his last before his meeting with Mitchell.

While Burns hopes a stylish win can help to secure a unification bout against WBC champion Adrien Broner or Miguel Vazquez, the IBF title-holder, Hearn is also looking for the undercard to entertain the crowd.